Equivalent Annual Cost (EAC)
📈 Investing
intermediate

Quick Definition

Equivalent Annual Cost (EAC) is a financial metric used to compare the annual costs of different investment projects over their lifespans, assuming each has a different lifespan.

Formula

EAC = NPV / A(PV, r, n)

Examples

  • 1Comparing the EAC of two different machines in a factory to determine which is more cost-effective over time.
  • 2Using EAC to decide whether to lease or buy office equipment based on their expected operational lifetimes.
  • 3Evaluating the EAC of different HVAC systems to find the most economical option for a new building.

Tags

EACinvestment analysiscost comparisonfinancial decision-makingcapital expenditure
Quick Info
Category:Investing
Difficulty:intermediate
Last Updated:6/19/2025